Detroit Tigers Jahmai Jones (18) looks out at the scoreboard during his game against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, June 21, 2026. | David Rodriguez-Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Well, we wondered if anyone would be interested after a disastrous first half, and it turns out the Boston Red Sox came calling. The Detroit Tigers have traded pinch-hitting, lefty mashing specialist Jahmai Jones to the Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later.
Getting anything at all back for Jones is fine, as the Tigers just could no longer float Jones on the active roster considering his brutal performance in the first half of the season. Jones slashed an abysmal .137/.219/.221 with a 33.3 percent strikeout rate, two home runs, and a 27 wRC+, putting him over 70 percent worse than league average.
That came of the heels of a 2025 season where he slashed. 287/.387/.550 with seven homers in 150 plate appearances and a 159 wRC+. Nearly all of these at-bats came against left-handed pitching, but even in such a specified role, Jones couldn’t repeat his 2025 run. Teams started spinning in more breaking stuff while keeping fourseam fastballs out of his sweet spot and he just could not adjust with any success. After seeing 35.1 percent fourseam fastballs in 2025, he saw just 23.1 percent of them this season, and was unable to lay off the breaking stuff well enough to get into favorable counts where pitchers might have to challenge him.
Jones got plenty of leash to try and figure it out in May and early June after a rough April, but things just got worse and his playing time quickly dried up. His plate appearances went from 37 in April and 41 in May to just 25 in June.
The emergence of Ben Malgeri as at least a decently competent hitter who, unlike Jones, is a pretty solid outfielder, cut into his playing time, and the brief hand injury to Dillon Dingler gave 1B/C Eduardo Valencia a shot as well. It’s too early to get real excited about either option, although Valencia has been a lot of fun over the past week, but Valencia makes for at least as good an option as Jones even in the exceedingly specific role of pitch-hitting against left-handers. He also provides more defensive utility despite being mediocre behind the plate and at first base.
With Gleyber Torres and Javier Báez rehabbing with an eye toward a return around the end of July or early August, Jones was eventually going to be forced out anyway. The Tigers will be in a better spot in terms of left-right balance in their lineup when those two return. In the meantime, Dillon Dingler and Spencer Torkelson have absolutely dominated left-handed pitchers this season, limiting the relevance of the whole issue. Probably the easiest and cheapest way for the Tigers to upgrade their offense right now would be to find a temporary left-handed hitting first baseman, allowing them to keep Torkelson on the bench and ready to hit a lefty reliever more often. Colt Keith simply hasn’t had the playing time at the position to really be comfortable there, and the Tigers should get him more reps to open up more flexibility, as playing Torkelson full-time this year has really hurt them against right-handed pitching, despite the strength of the overall lineup against RHP.
We wish Jahmai Jones well. The Red Sox are in a similar position to the Tigers, trying to run down the American League leaders after a really rough start. The Green Monster in left makes for a pretty good park for Jones to try and turn his season around in. Maybe he’ll figure it out with a fresh start.
The #RedSox today acquired OF/DH Jahmai Jones from the Detroit Tigers, in exchange for a player to be named later.
To make room on the active roster, Boston optioned INF/OF Nate Eaton to Triple-A Worcester.
Apr 12, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard John Tonje (8) shoots during the second half against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images | Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
The NBA Summer League kicked off last Thursday, and several former Wisconsin Badgers have looked to make their names known as they battle to make their respective team’s rosters.
Last year, the Badgers had their first draft pick since 2022 when John Tonje was taken by the Utah Jazz in the second round. Tonje enjoyed a quality rookie season in the G League, averaging 18.1 points and 4.6 rebounds a game while splitting time with the Salt Lake City Stars (Utah’s G League affiliate) and the Maine Celtics (Boston Celtics G League affiliate) after being traded midseason.
Tonje is now playing for the Celtics Summer League team, and he’s been off to a fantastic start.
In Boston’s first game, Tonje had 20 points, hitting five threes, while having a clutch steal and dunk that helped seal a three-point overtime victory over the Toronto Raptors. In their next game against the Charlotte Hornets, Tonje had an efficient 17 points on 8 of 10 from the field, while hauling down five rebounds.
He did struggle a bit in Boston’s third game, scoring five points on 2 of 8 from the field in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Nick Boyd is also participating in this year’s Summer League after going undrafted last month in the 2026 NBA Draft. He signed a deal with the Golden State Warriors after the draft and is looking to compete for a roster spot or a G League spot there.
Playing on the Warriors Blue team during the California Classic, Boyd had a couple of solid games to kick off Summer League. He struggled in his first contest, scoring 11 points on 2 of 10 shooting in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. But Boyd followed that up with a double-double, dropping 11 points and 10 assists in a loss to the Sacramento Kings, while shooting 4 of 7 from the field.
In the final game of the California Classic, Boyd had 13 points and five assists, while shooting 5 of 13 from the field. He was the starting point guard for all three games on the Warriors’ second G League team.
Boyd has now played in one of the two games since the official G League start in Las Vegas. He did not suit up for Golden State’s first game, but had 14 points, two assists, and two rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench in the team’s most recent game, while shooting 5 of 6 from the field.
The other former Badger playing is center Steven Crowl, who signed a deal to play for the Detroit Pistons ahead of Summer League.
After being a DNP in Detroit’s first game, Crowl has seen some minutes off the bench for the Pistons in their last two contests. In their second game, an 11-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Crowl had two assists, a block, and an offensive rebound in eight minutes of action, while being a +5 in the box score.
He saw a bigger role in their third game, playing 19 minutes, while scoring five points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out two more assists. He was a +6 in his minutes.
Summer League continues on Tuesday and will go on for the next few days, as each of the three players will look to make the most of their minutes. But, there have been some positives from Tonje, Boyd, and Crowl in their early action so far.
Major League Baseball has envisioned an extended 11-day All-Star break. The last regular-season games before the break would be on July 9, followed by the All-Star Game on July 11, likely at San Francisco, and the Olympic tournament at Dodger Stadium from July 13-19. The season would resume July 21.
“In general our players want to play in the Olympics. They’re patriotic, and for them it’s a special opportunity, and we want them to have that opportunity,” union head Bruce Meyer said Tuesday ahead of the All-Star Game. “Having said that, we want to make sure that they have things like travel and accommodations, and things that they deserve based on who they are.”
Five entities are involved in the negotiations: Major League Baseball, the players’ association, the International Olympic Committee, the LA28 local organizing committee and the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
Meyer characterized discussions as early.
“We’re focused on player quality of life,” Meyer said.
The United States qualified automatically as host, and the Dominican Republic and Venezuela earned berths based on their finish in this year’s World Baseball Classic. Asia and Europe/Oceania will have one spot each and the sixth nation will be determined during a final qualifying tournament.
“We went down the road on LA 2028 because we saw it as a unique opportunity to market the sport with our very, very best players,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “It is a disruptive undertaking for us. Put money to one side, you’re disrupting your entire season, and if we’re going to undertake that effort we want our very best out there so that people see how great our game really is.”
MLB wants player participation to be mandatory for those chosen along with those picked for future All-Star Games.
“The proposals they made in terms of what the discipline would be, the ramifications of a player who doesn’t want to do that, in our view were extreme,” Meyer said.
Meyer said San Francisco would be the 2028 All-Star Game site, but Manfred said MLB hasn’t made a final determination.
We’ve already reached the middle of July, and Samuel Montembeault is still a member of the Montreal Canadiens. As things stand, it is conceivable that for a second year in a row, the Canadiens will have three NHL-caliber goaltenders on their payroll.
Last season, Montembeault’s struggles led to Jacob Fowler being called up much earlier than expected, and the Melbourne, Florida native proved that he was up to the task and didn’t look out of place for a second. He may just be 21 years old, but he manned the crease like a seasoned vet and quickly earned his teammates’ trust. In 17 games, he posted a 9-6-2 record with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage, and picked up a shutout along the way.
Meanwhile, the man who was a seasoned vet had only a 10-8-4 record, a 3.43 GAA, and an .872 SV. As for Jakub Dobes, he was in net for most of the Canadiens’ wins and ended the year with a 29-10-4 record, a 2.78 GAA, and a .901 SV. While he did struggle at one stage in the season when he couldn’t seem to win over the coaching staff’s trust, he blossomed when Montembeault was cast aside, and by the time the playoffs came around, he was the undisputed number one choice.
Earlier this month, the Canadiens rewarded the Czech netminder with a three-year contract extension which has a $5,357,575 AAV. That was a clear endorsement of the 25-year-old’s work, and while a contract doesn’t guarantee playing time, as Dobes said himself in his media availability, it at the very least lets him know that he’s got the inside lane right now.
Having three goalies on the roster is far from an ideal situation, especially when two of them are 25 or younger. At that age, goaltenders need to see a lot of action to develop properly, and GM Kent Hughes has been clear: if Fowler stays with the big club this season, he will need to see plenty of action.
The days of the clear-cut number one choice in net seem to be a thing of the past. Nowadays, it seems like teams prefer to bet on a two-goalie system, which allows them to avoid overworking their top guy while also providing the backup with enough playing time.
As things stand, the Canadiens are in win mode; the results matter. They are no longer in rebuilding mode, with the focus being almost exclusively on development. Given Montembeault’s performance last season, one has to wonder whether he could earn the team’s trust back if he were to spend the season in Montreal.
As good a teammate as the Quebecer is, the Canadiens cannot afford another season of uncertainty in net. Time and time again last season, he was beaten on his first shot, putting the team in a hole straight from the start. It wasn’t surprising that eventually, his teammates started to play nervously in front of him.
Of course, given how young Fowler is, he could still be assigned to the AHL for the season and get plenty of ice time even if it’s at a lower level. Does he need more time there, though? There are no set rules regarding the time netminders spend in the AHL. Dobes played 65 AHL games before becoming a regular with the Canadiens after Cayden Primeau’s collapse. Carey Price only skated in 12 AHL games before becoming a regular in the NHL. Andrei Vasilevskiy only patrolled the Syracuse Crunch’s crease for 37 games. Jake Oettinger saw 54 AHL games, while Dustin Wolf saw 138 before becoming the man in Calgary.
Fowler has only played 30 games with the Rocket and another eight in the AHL playoffs. Granted, that’s not a lot, but it may just be enough. Granted, Fowler must see a lot of action, but his development may well be better served in the NHL, and, statistically speaking, his presence in Montreal would give the Habs better odds of winning.
However, should the Canadiens decide to go with a Dobes-Fowler tandem and try to send Montembeault down to the AHL, he would no doubt be picked up on waivers, and it’s hard to imagine the Habs’ brass being willing to lose that kind of asset for nothing. While a lot has been said about the Canadiens’ need to improve their top six, it may be an even bigger need to find Montembeault a new home.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; The twenty second pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. after he was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Game Details
When: Tuesday, July 14, 4:00 p.m. ET Where: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus, Prime Video Follow:@LibertyBallers
We open up the Mets Mailbag at the All-Star Break to discuss the state of the team and what's to come ahead of the MLB trade deadline...
David Stearns has been a complete trainwreck the past two seasons. Even Steve admitted “it’s not going well,” so why would he publicly give him support to finish out this five-year contract? -- @HustleDiva1
Steve Cohen’s rationale for keeping Stearns, at least as he has articulated it publicly, is twofold: one, he hand-picked Stearns years in advance, waited for him, and made a significant financial commitment to him. He believed in him that much, and he believes he will adapt and adjust.
Two, Cohen has said he does not want to be perceived as a flighty billionaire owner in the George Steinbrenner mold because he believes that will deter top talent from coming to work for him. If a highly touted executive is choosing his or her next home, why would that person put his or her career in the hands of someone they know will turn on them at the first sign of trouble. Again, this is Cohen’s rationale. And certainly with Stearns, this year is not the first sign of trouble.
That being said, I did not hear Cohen say he is definitely keeping Stearns for the duration of his contract. In fact, when Joel Sherman pressed him on that during that excellent podcast interview last week, Cohen admitted that if things aren’t going well, he might have to make a move. I thought that was significant, particularly because Cohen did not think firing Carlos Mendoza would be necessary earlier this season, according to people familiar with his thinking. When things got worse, he changed his mind.
Cohen wants stability. He hopes Stearns will learn from failure and be a better long-term fit for it, and I will say that in a sport as fickle as this one, it does sometimes take time for people to get things right. And I also don’t think he will keep Stearns long-term if things get worse. The question I do not know the answer to, however, is what "worse" would have to look like if we have not seen it yet.
Is it unpopular opinion if I say that Torrens should be the everyday catcher and Taylor needs to be in the lineup more often? They are battlers and have a much needed approach in the batter’s box. Pretty good defensively as well. Have been for years but somehow seem undervalued. -- @kevind7195
That opinion is certainly not unpopular with me, and the catching perspective seems to be the prevailing notion with the Mets these days, too. Near the end of Mendoza’s tenure, he started committing to playing Torrens more behind the plate, and he has gotten more consistent playing time there since then as the Mets have used Francisco Alvarez more as a designated hitter. That balance has been complicated somewhat by the return of Jorge Polanco, who can only serve as the DH and therefore limits the Mets’ ability to use Alvarez in that position. But I believe the organization is seeing the importance of Torrens’ steadiness defensively and his ability to get the most out of pitchers, and I would expect him to split time more consistently with Alvarez down the stretch as much as possible.
New York Mets designated hitter Francisco Alvarez (4) hits a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. / Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
I also think the organization views Torrens highly enough that they would be willing to trade Alvarez if presented with a return they deem suitable. I do not know whether they would trade Torrens, whom they signed to a team friendly extension earlier this season, though I would expect teams to ask. Obviously, I would not expect them to deal both.
As for Taylor, I think he is both undervalued and playing about as much as this team can afford to play him now. The Mets have committed to giving Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing regular at-bats, so outside of the occasional tough lefty matchup for Ewing, Taylor has no clear path to regular outfield duty. When he has gotten chances, he has been productive. He is a tremendously valuable asset as a fourth outfielder because of his ability to produce in limited duty. And because of that, plus the fact that he is a free agent after this season, he might end up being a valuable trade piece, too.
We were told this was a World Series team with better defense and a more well rounded offense. How could they have been this wrong?
I’m not here to argue with the premise of your question, but I will say the Mets are not the only people who read this group wrong. Oddsmakers, projection analysts, and even just regular baseball writers like me all predicted them to be contenders in the National League East with a chance to run through October if they added enough at the deadline. And of course, none of that materialized.
Injuries are part of the reason. Lindor missing so much time and needing time to recover his form really hurt them. Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. missing most of the first half didn’t help, though that was predictable. Spencer Jones shattering Clay Holmes’ leg made things very difficult. But everyone has injuries, and I think they miscalculated the extent of their depth.
I also think they misread their people. Freddy Peralta was more vulnerable to the pressures of a contract year than they thought. Devin Williams has been more susceptible to the pressures of closing in New York than Stearns clearly expected. Alvarez and Mark Vientos and Brett Baty were not ready to take the next steps forward the Mets needed them to take. All of that added up to a weaker, shallower lineup than they thought they had.
But I also think they were wrong about the state of their clubhouse. Whether or not they needed to clear Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeill will be debated for years, though people in the clubhouse and around the team insist the vibes are better this year. But better vibes are not enough. Whether because of public discussions about a potential captaincy, injuries, or something else, Lindor is not the same person he seemed to be in years’ past – a little less… sure somehow.
Soto might someday exert his influence more forcefully on this clubhouse, but for now he insists he sees himself as one of the guys, not an enforcer. They do not have an emotional anchor, and with a struggling team and brand-new coaching staff, neither Mendoza nor Stearns nor anyone in the clubhouse could provide one. Emotional anchors matter most when things go wrong, and when they went wrong early this year, the void was glaring. It continues to be.
So mostly, I think they missed on the intangibles – the injury risk, the way pressure would impact players new to New York, the type of people they needed in the clubhouse and they type of young players they had. Few teams get those things right, and some that do luck into it. But the Mets will not build long-term success until they figure them out. And the good thing about intangibles is they are impossible to calculate. Maybe, then, they are not as far from figuring them out as it seems. Or something.
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The Savannah Bananas are about to see ivy for the first time.
Come late July, America’s favorite “banana ball” team will take on The Firefighters in a three-game series at the Chicago Cubs’ home Wrigley Field.
If you’d like to be there, last-minute tickets are available for what will surely be a wild yet entertaining series in the Windy City.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on tickets for any one Bananas game was $112 including fees against SeatGeek.
Prices for the other two games start at $127 and $141 including fees.
Make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout (Editor’s Note: this discount is only valid for users’ first purchase on SeatGeek).
Over the course of the young ’26 season, the Bananas have already pulled off a number of memorable stunts at games all over the country.
“To go bananas for Banana Ball, you must embrace childlike whimsy,” The Daily Tar Heel wrote about an April game in North Carolina.
What will they take to the field when they visit Wrigley?
Although we can’t say for certain, we do know the absolute best way to find out is live and in person at the Cubbies’ home.
We’ll see ya at the ballpark.
For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the Savannah Bananas three games against The Firefighters at Wrigley Field below.
How much do tickets cost to see the Savannah Bananas at Wrigley Field?
A complete breakdown of all the best prices on tickets to see the Savannah Bananas’ three games at Wrigley Field are listed here:
Savannah Bananas Wrigley Field game dates
Ticket prices start at
Friday, July 24 7 p.m.
$112(including fees)
Saturday, July 25 4 p.m.
$128(including fees)
Sunday, July 26 3 p.m.
$141(including fees)
What giveaways do the Cubs have planned at Wrigley Field?
Hoping to snag some freebies while watching Craig Counsell’s club finish their 2026 campaign?
Below, you’ll find a list of all the giveaways the Cubs have planned at Wrigley Field over the rest of the season (including some sweet retro jerseys).
Chicago Cubs 2026 giveaway dates
Cubs 1940s-50s replica jerseyTwins vs. Cubs Friday, July 17
National Hot Dog Day capTwins vs. Cubs Saturday, July 18
Greek heritage jerseyTigers vs. Cubs Monday, July 20 *special ticket purchase required
University of Missouri capTigers vs. Cubs Monday, July 20 *special ticket purchase required
Cubs x PCA basketball jerseyTigers vs. Cubs Tuesday, July 21 *special ticket purchase required
2016 World Series anniversary surprise pinTigers vs. Cubs Wednesday, July 22
Cubs 1960s replica jerseyYankees vs. Cubs Friday, July 31
Wrigley Field marquee night lightYankees vs. Cubs Sunday, Aug. 2
Cubs 1960s replica jerseyCardinals vs. Cubs Friday, Aug. 14
Cubs 1990s replica jerseyReds vs. Cubs Friday, Aug. 28
Harry Caray bobbleheadReds vs. Cubs Sunday, Aug. 30
Illinois State University capBrewers vs. Cubs Monday, Aug. 31 *special ticket purchase required
Girls Night Out makeup bagBrewers vs. Cubs Monday, Aug. 31 *special ticket purchase required
Armed Forces hoodie and challenge coinBrewers vs. Cubs Tuesday, Sept. 1 *special ticket purchase required
First Responder’s quilted fleece and challenge coinBrewers vs. Cubs Wednesday, Sept. 2 *special ticket purchase required
Northern Illinois University capBraves vs. Cubs Wednesday, Sept. 16 *special ticket purchase required
University of Illinois capBraves vs. Cubs Wednesday, Sept. 16 *special ticket purchase required
Northeastern Illinois University crewneckBraves vs. Cubs Wednesday, Sept. 16 *special ticket purchase required
Note: Most freebies will be given to the first 5,000 fans. There are exceptions so make sure to arrive at the ballpark early.
For more information about special ticket purchases, click here.
When do the Cubs play at Wrigley Field this summer?
Fans that plan on seeing Nico Hoerner, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson and the squad can catch Counsell’s club at home all summer long including a three-game series against their crosstown rival White Sox from Aug. 17-19.
Want to be there (or follow the team on the road)?
Tickets for all Chicago Cubs regular season games from June through September can be grabbed here.
Where else are the Savannah Bananas playing in 2026?
Once the short stint in Cincy wraps, the Bananas will hit other ballparks all over North America from June through October.
Some of their most notable stops include Denver’s Coors Field (Aug. 14-15), St. Louis’ Busch Stadium (Aug. 21-22) and New England’s Gillette Stadium (Aug. 28-29).
To find the game that makes the most sense for your wallet and schedule, check out the Savannah Bananas’ complete 2026 calendar here.
About the Savannah Bananas
After forming in 2016, the “exhibition barnstorming baseball team” made a name for itself by embracing “exhibition” and “barnstorming” while halfway ditching “baseball.”
The team now plays Banana Ball, which has quirky rules like fan-caught foul balls counting as outs, games not being allowed to exceed two hours in length and batters stealing first base.
Yet, still, that’s barely scratching the surface of the innovative game’s showmanship.
Simply put, we recommend following Savannah’s Instagram to see what craziness the entertaining team is up to. Be warned, though — their clips are so fun you just might end up scrolling for hours.
The Bananas aren’t the only attraction at Banana Ball games.
Their opponents, The Firefighters aka “the hottest team in sports,” also bring fun, skill and loads of personality to the diamond.
Made up of legitimate players and goofballs, The Firefighters have been taking on The Bananas since 2024 when they became the third Banana Ball Team in the Banana Ball Championship League.
And, as a cherry on top, they’re led by former firefighter Valerie Perez, who coaches the club.
Fun events for the family in 2026
Get yer wholesome entertainment here!
We’ve got five shows that are guaranteed fun for the whole family below.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 01: Relief pitcher Ryan Walker #74 of the San Francisco Giants walks off the field after a pitching change in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 01, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Diamondbacks 6-4. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yesterday, I cobbled together five of what a San Francisco Giants fan might consider to be some of the team’s best moments from the first part of their 2026 season, so let’s look at five of the worst moments.
5. Swept by the Yankees (March 25th-28th)
It’s less the sweep and more the way that it happened. Outscored 13-1 in one of the rare times the team has opened a season at Oracle Park and simply outmatched in every facet of the game. It was the worst case scenario imagined by all the skeptics and considered by all the reasonable people out there after Buster Posey installed an inexperienced coaching staff to run a veteran roster with expectations.
The Giants had a nice spring and that plus their offseason had certainly built up this Opening Night on Netflix as something that would be worthwhile. Instead, the Giants revealed to their fans and the world that they’re a big steaming pile of losers who stink. Bad start to a season, worst start to a managerial career. Given the way the rest of this season has gone, the Giants might never live it down.
4. Doubleheader sweep via walk-off in Philadelphia (April 30th)
This is what a lot of the Giants media points to as the low point of the season. After clawing back to a not-terrible 13-15 record, the Giants proceeded to pee, poop, and vomit all over themselves before stumbling headfirst into an overflowing garbage can, then going vertical with their clown shoes swishing frantically as they struggled to free themselves, only to cause the garbage can to roll down a hill and onto a manure scow which would soon run aground on Diarrhea Island.
Walker’s nine-pitch battle against Bryson Stott, which ended in Stott hitting a game-tying triple, was especially jarring from a pitch-calling perspective. The cross-firing right-hander exclusively threw sinkers to Stott, and while the first eight were outside, his ninth and final one ended up right over the middle of the plate.
“I don’t really have an answer for you on that one,” Walker said when asked he only threw one slider. “It’s just something that we need to figure out. Obviously, that would’ve been beneficial. The two-seam’s been working a lot. I think we overused them definitely today. But yeah, it’s in the back of my mind. If we utilize the slider in that situation, it’s a different story.”
Did Walker consider shaking?
“I have a tough time shaking,” Walker said. “I’m not a big shaker. I put a lot of trust in my catchers. I still have a ton of trust in Bailey, whatever he calls, especially as a two-pitch guy. I have the confidence to get outs with both pitches in any situation. Obviously, nine two-seams to Stott is not ideal, and we’ll be making some changes in terms of situational pitching.”
Catcher Patrick Bailey didn’t offer much when asked about Walker’s sinker usage in Game 1 or Keaton Winn’s splitter usage in Game 2 (Winn threw 10 straight at one point).
“Good pitches,” Bailey said. “Trying to get them out. … I trust my guys and their pitches.”
Patrick Bailey would be traded 10 days later. It was at this point that everyone suspected that the stink lines coming off the team weren’t the result of some bad luck or small sample size or all the new people getting their sea legs. There was a rot on the surface. We now know that the Giants are rotten to the core, of course, but here’s the moment in the season when it kicked into gear — what a way to end the first month of the season!
3. Third base coach Hector Borg is reassigned (May 29th)
This is a bit of a heartbreaker in that, by all accounts, Hector Borg is well regarded within the San Francisco Giants organization and even by Tony Vitello. As Alex Pavlovic wrote back in February:
Vitello and members of the front office hopped on a Zoom call with Hector Borg in November as the longtime team employee was coaching in the Dominican Republic. Borg tried to convey what he has done in coaching and how passionate he is about helping young players. But mostly, he tried his best to be authentic with Vitello.
“I can remember getting off the Zoom and I don’t even know if it was five seconds and Tony was like, ‘Can we hire that guy?'” general manager Zack Minasian said recently, laughing.
If you spend about five seconds talking to or observing Borg, it’s not hard to see what intrigued Vitello. Borg, 40, is overflowing with energy and passion and is known within the organization as a tireless worker. He has been tied to Ron Washington all spring, and the two very much appear to be built the same way.
As for the job of third base coach itself? Well…
“I’m an aggressive third base coach,” he said. “I’ve always been that way.”
Prophetic.
Anyway, was Borg a scapegoat? Possibly. But he also seemed to be the outcome of a flawed process run by relative neophytes. The common person is convinced that Buster Posey’s time as a Hall of Fame-bound catcher means it’s no problem for him to transition into a management position, as though President of Baseball Operations is the same type of manager as the kind the common person loathes or simply distrusts.
But the Giants once again solved their problem by oversteering, replacing the 40-year old Borg with 68-year old Garry Pettis. Has the move worked out? Sure. The Giants were tied with the Angels for the worst Baserunning value (-4.2 runs) while Borg was with the team, according to FanGraphs. Since Pettis has been with the team, the Giants are just -1.5 runs in 32 games… 25th in MLB.
It’s just another example of the team feeling like amateur hour or watching Baby’s First Team.
2. Tony Vitello knifes Keaton Winn & Matt Gage, asks Logan Webb to pitch the 9th then rescinds the request, gets shouted at by Rafael Devers when he sends a pinch runner (four-way tie)
Speaking of amateur hour, here’s a list of on-field incidents that can be chalked up to a dude feeling his way through his first year as a manager at a whole new level of play and without any sort of meaningful guidance, as his overseers are just as inexperienced.
It’s probably not embarrassing that Tony Vitello threw the injury-riddled Keaton Winn three days in a row, but the outcome was predictable. It’s probably not embarrassing that Tony Vitello pushed Matt Gage to throw a career-high 51 pitches because it was an early blowout in Colorado and they needed the innings. But the outcome was predictable. It’s probably not embarrassing for the manager that one of the team’s star players refuses to be pinch ran for and makes an obvious stink about it, but the manager’s stature in the clubhouse can be reasonably called into question no matter the public sentiment towards the player.
Did Tony Vitello want to pinch run for Rafael Devers in that situation because he wanted a faster runner at third base or was Tony Vitello concerned that Devers’ previous comment about soreness would impact his ability to run the bases late in the game? Or is Rafael Devers just a jerk? For some reason, when the smoke cleared, it was Devers speaking to Bay Area media and, effectively, accepting responsibility, but let’s be clear: this isn’t the first time that there’s been murky intent when it comes to the manager’s decisions.
Webb would go eight innings and throw 99 pitches, striking out seven batters, allowing one run and five hits, as manager Tony Vitello got criticized for taking the pitcher out in the ninth inning. However, Webb revealed the conversation of Vitello asking him if he’s able to go back in the ninth, with the 29-year-old saying “it’s up to you,” leading to the change and the blown win in the ninth inning.
“Tony asked if you’re good, and I said ‘It’s up to you,'” Webb said, according to KNBR. “‘It’s your decision.’ He came back to me (bottom of the 8th), and he was like ‘we’re gonna make a change.'”
“I don’t regret that decision at all,” Webb continued.
That blown save just so happened to be the third consecutive game Keaton Winn pitched and would be his last one until July 10th. So… it’s all connected? But also, did Tony Vitello want to send Logan Webb back out there or did he defer to “It’s up to you” as a sign that he wasn’t good to go?
But then again, if it sounds like I’m pinning all of this on the rookie manager who usually sounds confused and often manages in a way that often reinforces how it sounds, I’ll admit that veterans taking advantage of a new guy with no experience or track record and few relationships is just as plausible. What could Tony Vitello do to them, ultimately? He hasn’t earned their respect or trust. As professionals, they should probably just be professionals on the field. But that doesn’t appear to be what’s happening here… for whatever reason, whether it’s Tony & his staff’s approach or the players’ POV.
And so this season-long discord has to be one of the team’s worst moments from part one.
Though, it’s worth adding: Rafael Devers is hitting .299/.392/.687 in 19 G (79 PA) since the pinch running incident; and, Logan Webb was the Pitcher of the Month in June. And, some of this was also a downstream consequence of Zack & Buster’s questionable bullpen planning during the offseason. That has certainly contributed to many memorably bad moments this season.
1. The Giants come out as bigots (June 12th)
The obvious pick and it’s one of these episodes where it spilled from the filled into off-field matters, where a lot of fans like to live to avoid reality. It’s almost certainly true that there are more bigoted baseball fans than there are non-bigots (or, at least, open-hearted and open-minded fans) and so the Giants have calculated that they can win in the long run despite this affront to the surrounding community. After all, they’re on pace to draw 3 million fans this season. The Giants got what they needed from the City of San Francisco and now that Mission Rock is up and running, they can commune with the people they prefer.
For those fans, the Giants would seem like a revelation. A new ally in the culture war. A firm that has finally seen the light! For the rest of us, it’s heartbreak. And for some of us, a sad final chapterof a relationship.
The notion that the Giants aren’t bigots is disproved by the definition of bigot: “a narrow-minded person who obstinately adheres to their own opinions and prejudices.” People invoke the Holy Bible to justify all sorts of beliefs and practices and at the end of the day, if the only idea that people want to pull from it is hatred, then it it’s definitionally bigotry. You don’t scribble on your hat or proclaim “Read the Bible!” without some emotion behind it. Spite? Hatred? It’s certainly not coming from a place of love. Wanting to be a bigot in everything but name only is on the level of losers. Own it!
The public protest on top of the awful pitching was the real clincher in all this. Some real Boaters for Trump vibes.
But the theme of this season has been the Giants either revealing or realizing that they are not who any of us thought they were or had hoped to be. The preseason projections saw them as an average team. The fans saw an average team with maybe some magic afoot if Bryce Eldridge panned out. Instead, the Giants are losers.
It’s loser level to hate LGBTQ+ people. It’s loser level to deface one’s work uniform as a protest of LGBTQ+ people. It’s loser level to sign with a team as a free agent so you can fire & brimstone their fans after a game. It’s loser level to hold a press conference like the one Buster Posey did, or do what Larry Baer did on KNBR the day after — but, admittedly, those were “off the field,” and shouldn’t be a part of this article. So, I’ll conclude instead with the ultimate loser level: being Ryan Walker. He has a 9.90 ERA in just 10 innings since the protest.
Now, does this mean you can draw a straight line from Pride Night to their 41-55 record? No. The anti-Pride Night protest and the ensuing farts from the front office are symptoms of a larger, perhaps diseased body operating as the San Francisco Giants. This is a team that has kept Larry Baer in a public-facing role despite a very public episode that caused him to lose a position within the organization. A team that dumped their public address announcer because of her political beliefs (hypocrites!</s>) after ownership’s political beliefs and political contributions came out and clearly conflicted with the region, the team’s purported values, and some general human decency, but hired Glen Kuiper… because everyone deserves a third or fourth chance to drop the n-word on a broadcast, I suppose?
To be absolutely fair, though, the team has been consistent in one way: they oppose dudes humping no matter the circumstances.
In the past, it’s been nonsensical to link personal character with win-loss results because there are hundreds — maybe even thousands — of examples of bad people being great athletes and champions; but, then you get a team like the 2026 Giants a team so bad that, beyond the obvious talent gap, makes you wonder just how much character counts… because it surely can’t be zero.
Anyway, don’t let me be the final word on this. What are some other worst moments from the first part of the 2026 season?
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Gonzaga coach Mark Few will join the staff of USA Basketball head coach Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat), reports Shams Charania of ESPN. USA Basketball is expected to make that official in the coming days.
This is a potential stepping stone for Daigneault and Bickerstaff. Spoelstra was named the head coach for this cycle of USA Basketball — which includes the 2027 FIBA World Championships — after serving as an assistant on Steve Kerr's staff in the Paris Olympics, where the USA men won gold for the fifth consecutive Games.
This staff will face the stiffest challenge the USA has seen to its basketball supremacy — the rest of the world has been catching up fast for years. It took a golden final few minutes from Stephen Curry — with Kevin Durant and LeBron James flanking him — to win gold two years ago.
That win was against a French team led by Victor Wembanyama, who has grown into arguably — and in two years it will not be up for debate — the best player on the planet. The French, Serbia (led by Nikola Jokic), and a deep German team are medal threats as well. A deep Canada team cannot be discounted as well.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards walks on the court during a break in the first half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game against the Utah Jazz at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dybantsa flashed his relentless rim pressure, elite athleticism and finishing ability through two contests. He scored 27 points — which tied Blake Griffin for the most by a No. 1 pick in their Las Vegas Summer League debut —in a 92-88 win over the Utah Jazz before tallying 23 points in Washington’s 104-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
The Wizards’ No. 1 pick averaged 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists across those two contests. He used his 6-foot-9 frame to tally 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game as he flashed an impressive defensive motor.
One of the few blemishes on an otherwise impressive showing was Dybantsa’s shooting efficiency. The BYU product shot just 39.4% (13-33) from the field and 9.1% (1-11) from 3-point range.
In what served as his lone appearance, Johnson tallied 26 points on 11-20 FG. He scored from all three levels, knifing into the paint for contested layups, pulling up for mid-range jumpers and knocking down a pair of 3-pointers.
Riley shook off a shaky opener to dominate the Kings on Sunday. The second-year wing scored a game-high 32 points while making six of his eight 3-point attempts. He shot 70% from 3-point range on 10 attempts across two Summer League contests.
The Wizards return at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday against Caleb Wilson and the Chicago Bulls before facing Keaton Wagler’s Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 12: Curtis Mead #45 of the Washington Nationals celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Nationals Park on July 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a season full of great stories on the offensive side of the ball, the emergence of Curtis Mead has been one of the best ones. The Nats traded a 6th round senior sign for Mead, who had just been DFA’d by the White Sox. It has proven to be a great deal, as Mead has 17 homers and has been arguably the most clutch hitter on the team.
Curtis Mead just smashed his 11th HR. Gave the Nats a 7th-inning lead. Been a revelation.
Former top prospect in TB; played for Blake Butera in Rays system. Knew Butera and Michael Johns well. Toboni traded for him a day into season. He's been huge. pic.twitter.com/1aPGqwJYS3
The Curtis Mead story is a good example of how a second chance and a change of scenery can benefit a player’s career. A few years ago Mead was a top 50 prospect and one of the best hitters in the minor leagues. At the time, people thought the Rays had won the one for one swap that sent Mead to Tampa and Cristopher Sanchez to Philly.
Obviously that did not turn out to be the case, with Sanchez starting the All-Star game and his home park while Mead is having success, just not in Tampa. Mead just hit and hit in the minor leagues, but the transition to the majors was tough. The Rays had a tough time finding a consistent role for him with Junior Caminero on the rise, Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda at DH and first base, as well as Brandon Lowe playing second at the time.
Mead got looks here and there, but with no true home, the Aussie struggled. Eventually the Rays decided to trade him to the White Sox. Mead got a solid run of playing time there but did not make the most of his chance. With Miguel Vargas at third base and the addition of Munetaka Murakami at first, the writing was on the wall again for Mead.
When Mead reunited with his old minor league manager Blake Butera, he had to know this could be his last shot. To begin the season, Mead was on the short side of a first base platoon with Luis Garcia Jr., but played so well that the Nats had to find more playing time for him. He would get some reps at third base, DH or second base as well.
However, he found a permanent home at third after Brady House got sent down. Since then, Mead plays almost every day, though he will occasionally get an off day against a tough right handed pitcher. For the year, the 25 year old has 17 homers and an .843 OPS. He is on pace to hit over 30 home runs, which is not bad for a guy with 5 career bombs entering the season.
Curtis Mead's breakout season has been awaesome to watch
Mead is a very well rounded bat who does a great job combining contact ability, power and swing decisions. His chase rate, barrel rate and whiff rate are all in the 75th percentile or better. He does not hit the ball incredibly hard, but he hits the ball at good angles and pulls the ball in the air a lot. That allows him to have 30 home run power despite average raw power.
Based on his pedigree and minor league track record, it was clear that there was a good hitter in Curtis Mead that just needed to be unlocked. Guys do not hit .298 with an .878 OPS in the minors while almost always being younger than the competition by accident. That is what Mead did, and now after finally getting some stability, he is producing at the big league level.
Sure, Mead has some warts in his profile, most notably his lack of a true defensive home. Mead is sure handed at third base, but his arm is light for the position. He has played some first, but does not look super comfortable over there. I am interested to see what he would look like at second base, but I wonder about the range. It could be fun to experiment with him in the corner outfield spots and make him into a true super utility guy.
Mead came into the season as a post-hype flier who could hopefully be a solid platoon bat. However, he has become so much more than that. Mead is one of the big four pieces of the best offense in baseball. He is one of four players with at least 15 homers on the Nats. Mead, Abrams, Garcia and Wood have provided such immense value at the plate this season.
Curtis Mead hit his 15th home run of the season in the fifth inning, giving the Nationals four players with 15 or more home runs, tied for the most in Major League Baseball with the Dodgers.
Dodgers: Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) July 7, 2026
For Curtis Mead, this is no fluke either. His wOBA and xwOBA are identical at .365, meaning there is no luck right now. This is just who he is as a hitter. His BABIP of .251 is also unusually low. With his fly ball heavy profile, a low BABIP is not unexpected, but I would expect that to go up at least a little bit, which would raise his .247 average.
That .247 average is mediocre, but he makes up for that with his ability to draw walks. One of Mead’s defining attributes is that he consistently grinds out at bats. He does not whiff or chase very much. That makes it no surprise that Mead is walking over 11% of the time this year while striking out at a sub-20% clip.
Based on how teams drafted the other day, it is clear that Mead’s offensive profile is very desirable. Teams love high contact hitters with power and plate discipline. Curtis Mead has become the very good, well rounded hitter the Rays expected him to be all those years ago. All it took was a fresh start and some time in Matt Borgschulte’s hitting lab.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 22: Austin Reaves #15 and Head Coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round One Game Two of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers are a franchise that always empowers its stars.
During a recent interview on the “Dan Patrick Show,” Reaves explained that he was in constant communication with Luka, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick during this offseason.
“I had a lot of talks with Rob. I’m really close with Luka and JJ as well. We’re just building something that can be sustainable for not just now but the future. I seen something the other day that I’m the oldest guy on the team and I’m 28. That’s actually crazy to me. We want to have success now and five, six, seven years in the future.”
The Lakers have committed a ton of money to Luka and Reaves. This is the new star duo in LA, so they will be in the know and have a lot of say. That’s not a bad thing. The Lakers are heavily invested in them, and it’s best to make sure most of the big decisions and the main plan are ones they are on board with and like.
Pelinka is still running things, so decisions fall on him, but it’s good to keep Luka and Reaves in the know.
This summer has been transformational for the Lakers. As Reaves said, they’ve gotten much younger. And now they are built around Luka and Reaves.
At least for now, it seems everyone is on board with the plan. Now we just need to wait for the fall to see how it looks in action.
We’re still in the heart of the offseason, though, so it’ll be a while before we see the new-look Lakers in action. For now, it’s summer, and with Reaves getting a huge payday, he should celebrate his success and the raise.
So far, as he discussed on “The Dan Patrick Show”, he hasn’t really done that.
“I haven’t bought myself anything. Actually, my financial advisor told me the other day that I needed to spend more money. So, I struggle with that. I mean, I’m more, I like getting gifts for other people so I’ve done a little bit of that.”
It sounds like being Reaves’ friend is a good thing to be right now. Hopefully, Reaves can treat himself and enjoy his new deal. Perhaps he can buy himself a great set of golf clubs or take a vacation to a place he’s always wanted to go. He’s certainly earned it, and once the NBA season starts, it’s back to work, and the time for extended fun will be over.
And when the Lakers play again, Reaves will be the No.2 in every way possible. His usage reflects that, as does his pay and insights into the franchise’s decisions.
PHILADELPHIA — Getting an All-Star Game selection is often considered a big-time moment for Major League Baseball players, as it is something often factored into their Hall of Fame conversation.
To get a start in the All-Star Game, especially on the mound, that's an even bigger deal.
Both Sánchez and Cease are the first two pitchers for their respective clubs to start the Midsummer Classic since Roy Halladay started the game for both the Phillies and Blue Jays in 2011 and 2009, respectively.
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is set for 8 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. The National League is looking for back-to-back wins against the American League after Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber helped the NL win in Atlanta last season in the tiebreaker swing-off.
Here's what to know on the starting pitchers for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game:
Who are the starting pitchers for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game?
It'll be Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies and Dylan Cease of the Toronto Blue Jays who will start Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game.
Both were officially announced as the starting pitchers for their respective leagues on Monday by managers Dave Roberts and John Schneider in a press conference format, though it was announced on Sunday that they would be starting.
Who is Cristopher Sanchez?
Sánchez has been one of the top pitchers in baseball over the course of the last three seasons, which includes finishing as the runner-up to Paul Skenes in the National League Cy Young Award race.
"Pretty special, really exciting, even more so than being here at home," Sánchez said on Monday at All-Star Media Day on what it means to get the start. "I'm just super excited so I can come here tomorrow and just take it all in and enjoy it overall. … It's a result of a lot of discipline and a lot of hard work that we put throughout the season."
He has a three-pitch arsenal, with his sinker and his changeup being his two primary pitches. He is 11-4 with a 2.62 ERA and 144 strikeouts – third-most in the majors – in 127 ⅓ innings pitched this season.
"He’s not trying to get too complicated," former Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels said of Sánchez’s minimum-arsenal approach in an interview with USA TODAY Sports last week. "Because of that, it allows him to stay more fluid and be able to repeat his delivery because he’s not having to add different arm angles or different sorts of breaking pitches. He really does keep it simple."
Cease is off to a great start in his first season in Toronto, as he is second in the majors with 148 strikeouts, only behind Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misorowski.
"It's a massive honor. I'm really excited and I'm very grateful for it," Cease said on Monday at All-Star Media Day on what it means to get the start.
Cease, the former Chicago Cubs sixth-round pick in 2014, is making his first All-Star Game appearance after missing out on making the American League squad in 2022 with the Chicago White Sox. Hitters are hitting .190 against Cease this season, who is coming off a near no-hitter in his last start before the All-Star break against the San Francisco Giants.
"You’re talking about leading the league in strikeouts, up there in innings pitched, quality starts, WAR," Schneider said on Monday about his decision to go with Cease. "There was a lot of categories that he was either at the top or second in. I think that's what tipped it. It was performance. Part of it was me seeing it up close every day, but we get to see a lot of guys up close, and I think Dylan's performance made him very deserving of this honor."
What time is MLB All-Star Game tonight?
The 96th edition of the Midsummer Classic is set for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Fox will handle the broadcasting rights.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Brooklyn Nets slaps hands with head coach Dutch Gaitley as Brown walks to the bench in the first half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game against the New York Knicks at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Brooklyn Nets got a bit of a reality check on Saturday night. After cruising past the Knicks on Friday, the Nets dropped lost 83-76 to the Atlanta Hawks on a night where the main attractions — Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Dëmin — rested on the second night of a back-to-back.
But tonight, the young cornerstones are expected to return.
Brooklyn shifts its focus to an evening showdown against the Sacramento Kings (1-1) at the Thomas & Mack Center. Tuesday brings forth another summer subplot we missed in Sacramento: a clash between the No. 6 and No. 7 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.
📺 Watch: YES!
Who: Brooklyn Nets vs. Sacramento Kings
When: 6:00 PM ET
Where: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
TV/Stream: YES Network, Prime Video
🏀 The Game
With Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Dëmin watching from the bench on Saturday, Summer League coach Dutch Gaitley handed the keys over to Ben Saraf and Drake Powell. The backcourt had its growing pains — Saraf dropped 15 points but shot only 4-of-14 from the floor in 32 minutes. Powell shot 0-for-4 in 24 minutes played.
“I’ve been working with my coaches on my shot,” said Powell. “They’re not going in right now. But I’m going to continue to put them up and have full confidence that they’ll go in… Some nights are obviously hard when I’m by myself in the hotel room. But just been [having] constant conversations with my circle and continuing to trust them and my coaches.”
Back to Brown Jr. and Dëmin.
Of course, Stephen A. Smith screamed “BOX OFFICE!” at cameras the day after Brooklyn selected Mikel Brown Jr., and proceeded to mention how they should be the next team to be part of expansion. Darius Acuff Jr. could have a great career and we’d be thrilled! But the focus in Brooklyn is on Brown Jr. — and only Brown Jr. No matter how much hype has been around this matchup.
It doesn’t need to be anything more or less than that. Keep an eye on how these two young floor generals attempt to set the tone early.
📈 Big Impressions
Although it’s lottery guards who have generated the headlines, Saturday’s loss to Atlanta spotlighted two guys in the frontcourt who came to play.
Chaney Johnson: The two-way forward was everywhere once again, racking up 20 points, 10 rebounds, and a whopping 5 steals. He’s currently averaging 15 points and nine rebounds in Las Vegas Summer League, pushing the issue with high-energy on both ends of the floor.
Danny Wolf: The second-year big led the scoring effort alongside Johnson, putting up 20 points of his own on an efficient 9-of-16 shooting.
Meanwhile, forward Joshua Jefferson made his highly anticipated Summer League debut on Saturday. The aggression was there, but so was the rust. He shot 1-of-8 from the field to go along with two turnovers in nine minutes.
🕒 Load Management
If you’re wondering why you didn’t see Brown Jr. or Dëmin in the box score on Saturday, it simply isn’t worth overthinking. It’s Summer League, and for the Nets, the priority is balancing development with keeping the franchise cornerstones in one piece. That’s not mentioning they’re playing extra basketball — only seven franchises (eight total teams) play in the California Classic before heading over the Vegas.
“That’s the goal,” Nets summer league coach Dutch Gaitley said.“The goal is a nice off-day … get some work in on Monday, and then we’re ready to play the Kings and, hopefully, avenge our first loss of summer league.”
It’s the right move. Long-term evaluation is the name of the game here. Minutes need to be earned by others, and Saturday gave the staff another look at what Saraf and Powell can (or can’t) do when they’re forced to take the reins.
Make no mistake, the main act returns tonight. But this is all exhibition, the Nets are not going to do anything that might jeopardize their future, particularly in back-to-backs
Welcome to NY, Keon!
Did you think you’d wake up today and think about New York real estate? If your answer is no then you’re probably having a less stressful day than Keon Ellis. Like most who move to New York, Ellis discussed what it’s like looking for a place.
Asked Keon Ellis how he's feeling about living in NYC:
“Oh, my god! Trying to find a house, it’s tough. I have to sacrifice something, some space, the prices, it’s a lot. But I’m definitely excited to walk around the city and hit different spots and all the restaurants. I hear… pic.twitter.com/Florv2bOQh
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 13: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts as Bryce Harper #3 bats during the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Phillies fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The first half of the season is always when the 81st game is played, but many use the All-Star Game as a line of demarcation to divide the season into halves. Since we are there now and the “first half” / complete, now seems a good time to ask this question.
These are just some of the candidates to choose from, so maybe you have someone different. Maybe it’s the manager!
